Pursuant to section 4305 of the Foreign Missions Act (the Act), all foreign missions are obligated to notify the Department of State prior to any acquisition, use, sale or other disposition, by or on behalf of the foreign mission, of real property which is located in the United States. This includes, but is not limited to, any purchase, lease, resale, alteration, renovation, addition, or change in the purpose for which real property is used by a foreign mission.
The notification requirement applies to properties acquired for office or residential use by the foreign government for its diplomatic mission in Washington, DC and career consular posts around the United States. For some missions, the requirement may also extend to acquisitions by individual members of the mission.
The Department of State will respond to the mission by diplomatic note indicating whether a request has been approved or disapproved, and include if appropriate, any terms and conditions.